GS-3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment

In News:Why India is building a cloud chamber as part of Mission Mausam

2.What are the key objectives and expected outcomes of Mission Mausam launched by the Government of India for weather forecasting and management? Discuss the significance of establishing a convective cloud chamber in this context.

Mission Mausam, recently launched by the Government of India, represents a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing the country’s weather forecasting and management capabilities.

Objectives:

1. Improved weather forecasting: Enhance the accuracy of short to medium-range weather predictions by 5-10%.
2. Weather management: Develop capabilities to manage specific weather events, such as enhancing or suppressing rainfall, hail, and fog.
3. Research in cloud physics: Strengthen research in cloud physics to understand cloud behaviour better and improve weather modification techniques.
4. Enhanced observation infrastructure: Expand the weather observation network, including land, sea, and atmospheric monitoring.
5. Community engagement: Involve local communities in weather-related initiatives to foster trust and cooperation.

Expected Outcomes:

1. Accurate predictions: Improved forecasting accuracy will lead to better preparedness for weather-related events.
2. Effective weather modification: Capabilities to manage rainfall will help mitigate flooding and drought conditions.
3. Advanced research facilities: Establishment of a convective cloud chamber will facilitate in-depth studies of cloud dynamics.
4. Comprehensive data collection: Increased deployment of Doppler radars, wind profilers, and other instruments will enhance data collection for better modelling.
5. Enhanced public awareness: Improved communication regarding weather events will lead to greater public awareness and safety.

Significance of establishing a Convective Cloud Chamber
The establishment of a convective cloud chamber at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune, is a crucial component of Mission Mausam.

1. Controlled environment for research: The convective cloud chamber will allow scientists to simulate and study cloud formation under controlled conditions, facilitating a deeper understanding of cloud physics.
2. Tailored experiments: Researchers can manipulate temperature, humidity, and other parameters to observe how different conditions affect cloud behaviour and precipitation processes.
3. Improved weather models: Insights gained from the chamber will contribute to refining weather prediction models, making them more accurate and region-specific.
4. Cloud seeding research: The facility will help identify suitable types of clouds for seeding and determine effective materials and methods for enhancing rainfall.
5. Addressing climate change impacts: Understanding how rising temperatures affect cloud dynamics will aid in developing strategies to cope with changing weather patterns.

Mission Mausam represents a significant step towards improving India’s resilience against climate variability and ensuring better resource management in response to weather challenges.

PYQ

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Source:

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/why-india-is-building-a-cloud-chamber-mission-mausam-9633221/